New York Times on the Web Forums Science

Missile Defense

Technology has always found its greatest consumer in a nation's war and defense efforts. Since the last attempts at a "Star Wars" defense system, has technology changed considerably enough to make the latest Missile Defense initiatives more successful? Can such an application of science be successful? Is a militarized space inevitable, necessary or impossible?

Read Debates, a new Web-only feature culled from Readers' Opinions, published every Thursday.

almarst2002 - 04:14pm Dec 14, 2002 EST (# 6607 of 6649)

Two Visions of Attack on Iraq - http://english.pravda.ru/main/2002/12/13/40774.html

" Washington believes that a swift attack on Iraq would be met by a wave of euphoria in Baghdad

However, the consequences may not be as simplistic and as clear-cut as Washington’s vision. Washington has a black-and-white approach to complex world issues which at times appear to be outside the grasp of the collective psyche of the Administration.

Hundreds of thousands of weapons have been distributed by the regime to the people of Iraq, the majority of whom respect their leader and who would fight against an invading army to protect their dignity, if not their leader.

... the military commanders would do whatever necessary to visit destruction on those perceived to be the enemies of Iraq, namely the US Forces in the region – and Israel.

The Kurdish question would become a regional problem, not a national one because it is not restricted to Iraq

The whole region would be gripped by a refugee crisis, destabilising economies which are already weak, creating, in President Assad’s words, “fertile soil for terrorism”. More poverty means more terrorism because when people have nothing to lose, they have everything to gain.

almarst2002 - 04:17pm Dec 14, 2002 EST (# 6608 of 6649)

Situation with national minorities in Kosovo is catastrophic - http://english.pravda.ru/world/2002/12/14/40795.html

almarst2002 - 04:22pm Dec 14, 2002 EST (# 6609 of 6649)

The open war declared by President Alvaro Uribe to leftist guerrillas has intensified the bloodshed in Colombia, threatening civilians' safety. His plan, openly supported by the US State Department, not only proved to be useless to stop violence, but also steamed up the political temperature of the country - http://english.pravda.ru/world/2002/12/11/40658.html

almarst2002 - 04:27pm Dec 14, 2002 EST (# 6610 of 6649)

Bosnia peace force on alert for al Qaeda - http://www.washtimes.com/world/20021214-90521690.htm

almarst2002 - 04:31pm Dec 14, 2002 EST (# 6611 of 6649)

Throughout the area, Bush's policies are making people more anti-American," said a senior Gulf diplomat - http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,364304,00.html

lunarchick - 08:09pm Dec 14, 2002 EST (# 6612 of 6649)

Interesting posts re Australia Almarst2002 ... the fact is the Australian economy is simple

Grow it and ship it
Dig it and ship it
Pipe it and ship it

Australian population is 19million.

1 million 'top ability' Australians are out in the world - working jobs - elsewhere .... wanting to, but not able, to come back into the country with expertise, work and be rewarded - accordingly.

The upper-arm-male-strength economies are fading ... where does uneducated manpower find a modern niche? Certainly not in a modern economy.

Adelaide is a wonderful city - don't knock it!

The 9th wonder of the world - the rail link from Adelaide to Darwin in on track ... and should soon link it to the 'northern world'.

Australia is the most urban of countries in the world - probably 80% of the population live in major cities.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LONDON - IRAQ - Iraqis shape their transition.

Iraqis meeting at a conference in London (initiated by them) are networking together via Parliamentary-style negotiation to develop the mantle of government that could soon be in place were 'they' to oust Saddam by whatever means.

Democarcy for Iraq is what Iraqis want!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

South Koreans demonstrate in Seoul to demand that USA military move out of Korea. They rightly or foolishly believe that the two Koreas would then merge .... perhaps ... but what happens to the 'Nuclear-muck' !?

(37 following messages)

New York Times on the Web Forums Science Missile Defense